VehicleVerdict

2005 Cadillac Deville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 132 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Deville year — the 2005 model ranks #13 of 34 Deville years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 38 reports (29% of the total).

132

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Deville years?

Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted339 complaints1964: 1 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 2 complaints1976: 4 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 4 complaints1979: 1 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 12 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 27 complaints1987: 52 complaints1988: 41 complaints1989: 66 complaints1990: 111 complaints1991: 105 complaints1992: 183 complaints1993: 123 complaints1994: 185 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 281 complaints1997: 339 complaints1998: 310 complaints1999: 239 complaints2000: 312 complaints2001: 239 complaints2002: 237 complaints2003: 208 complaints2004: 211 complaints2005: 132 complaints
Deville NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Deville years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Cadillac Deville problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3829%
Steering2922%
Airbags1814%
Engine1310%
Brakes86%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Lighting43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Transmission43%
Seats32%
Body & Structure22%
Suspension22%
Fuel System22%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2005 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DURING WINTER DRIVING, TURNED ON THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL, FELT THE FINGERS OF MY LEFT HAND BEGIN TO BURN AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL COVER. I IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED OFF THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL, THE SMOKING STOPPED. I HAVE NOT USED THAT FEATURE SINCE, HAVE NOT HAD IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 19, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 18, 2014 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A GAS STATION AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 29, 2009 · crash

“AIRBAGS FAILED TO OPEN AFTER ENGINE DIED. CAR WENT DEAD AND STEERING BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. SEAT BECAME UNLOCKED. I WAS JAMMED UNDER STEERING WHEEL. ENGINE AND CAR DEAD. FRONT END AND REAR END TOTAL, NEVER RECEIVED REPLACEMENT. INSURER WAS GEICO, REPAIRED AT THEIR RECOMMENDED FACILITY.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 9, 2004 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CADILLAC DEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 3, 2014 · crash

2005 Cadillac Deville — common questions

Is the 2005 Cadillac Deville reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 132 complaints put the 2005 model at #13 of 34 Deville years. It is one of the Deville years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Deville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (38 complaints), steering (29 complaints), airbags (18 complaints).

Does the 2005 Cadillac Deville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 Cadillac Deville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac Deville years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Deville years to avoid are 1997, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003, 1995, 1994, 1992, 2005, 1993, 1990, 1991. The cleanest record among Deville years belongs to 1972.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.